AU2504097A

AU2504097A - An enzyme for dyeing keratinous fibres

Info

Publication number: AU2504097A
Application number: AU25040/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Niels Henrik Sorensen
Original assignee: Novo Nordisk AS
Current assignee: Novo Nordisk AS
Priority date: 1996-04-03
Filing date: 1997-04-03
Publication date: 1997-10-29
Also published as: EP0891182B1; US6001134A; CN1216914A; CA2250832A1; WO1997037633A1; DE69708276D1; JP2000510823A; EP0891182A1

Description

Title: An enzyme for dyeing keratmous fibres

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dyeing composition for keratmous fibres, such as hair, a method for dyeing keratmous fibres and the use of an oxidation enzyme derived from Pyri cularia for dyeing keratmous fibres, such as human or animal hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been used for many years to dye the hair of humans to cover appearing grey hair The need to do so arises from the fact that grey hair is the first sign of having past adolescence, which can be hard to accept for many people

Further, durmg the last few decades hair dyeing has become more and more popular m the western world At first Punk Rockers and other society critical groups dyed their hair extreme colours as a part of their protest against the established society, but today especially many young people also use hair dyes (in more soft tints than the Punk Rockers) as a sort of "cosmetic" to change or freshen up their "looks"

Hair dyes

In general hair dyeing compositions on the market today can be divided into three main groups :

- temporary hair dyes,

- semi-permanent hair dyes, and

- permanent oxidative hair dyes

The temporary hair dyes are only intended to change tne natural hair colour for a short period of time and usually function by depositing dyes on the surface of the han Such hair dyes are easy to remove with normal shampooing

When using semi-permanent han dyes the colour of tne αyeα hair can survive for five or more shampoo gs This _.s achieved by using ayes which have a nigh affinity foi han keratin and which are capable of penetrating into the mterioi of the hair shaft .

Permanent hair dyes are very durable to sunlight, shampoo¬ ing and other hair treatments and need only to be refreshed once a month as new hair grows out . With such dyeing systems the dyes are created directly in and on the hair. Small aromatic colourless dye precursors ( e . g. p-phenylenediamine and o-aminophenol) penetrate deep into the hair, where said dye precursors are oxidized by an oxidizing agent into coloured polymeric compounds . These coloured compounds are larger than the dye precursors and cannot be washed out of the hair.

By including compounds referred to as modifiers (or couplers) in the hair dyeing composition a number of hair colour tints can be obtained. Cathecol and Resorcinol are examples of such modifiers.

Traditionally H₂0₂ is used as the oxidizing agent (colour builder) . As H₂0₂ is also a bleaching agent dyeing compositions comprising H₂0₂ are often referred to as "lightening dyes".

The use of H₂0₂ in dye compositions has some disadvantages, as H₂0₂ damages the hair. Further, oxidative dyeing usually demands high pH (normally around pH 9-10) , which inflicts damage on the hair and irritate the scalp. Consequently, when using dye compositions comprising H₂0₂, it is recommendable not to dye the hair often.

To overcome the disadvantages of using H₂0₂ it has been suggested to use oxidation enzymes to replace H₂0₂.

US patent no. 3,251,742 (Revlon) describes a method for dyeing human hair by dye formation in si tu (i.e. on the hair) .

An oxidative enzyme is used to the colour formation reactions at a substantially neutral pH (pH 7-8.5) . accases, tyrosinases, polyphenolases and catacolases are mentioned as the suitable oxidation enzymes.

EP patent no. 504.005 (Perma S.A.) concerns a composition for dyeing hair which do not require the presence of H₂0 (hydrogen peroxide) . Said composition comprises an enzyme capable of catalyzing the formation of polymeric dyes, and also dye precursors, such as bases and couplers, in a buffer solution. The pH in said composition lies between 6.5 and 8 and said enzyme has an optimal activity in the pH range between 6.5 and 8.

Rhizoctoma pra ticola laccase and Rhus vernicifera laccase have a pH-optimurrt between 6.5 and 8 and can be used to form the polymeric dyes accordmg to this patent.

WO 95/33836 (Novo Nordisk A/S) describes the use of a laccase derived from Myceliopthora thermophila which may be used for dyeing of ha r.

WO 96/00290 (Novo Nordisk A/S) discloses the use of a laccase derived from Polyporus pmsi tus for oxidative dyeing of hair

It is known that Pyri cularia oryzae laccase may be used oxidation of phenolic azo dyes (see Muralikrishna et al . , (1995) , Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 61, (12) , pp 4374-4377)

The use of Pyricularia laccase for dyeing keratmous materials such as hair is not mentioned and anticipated by said document .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a perma¬ nent dyeing composition for keratmous fibres, such as hair, which has an improved colour development (i.e. dyeing effect)

The terms "colour development" and "dyeing effect" are used interchangeably in the following defining a colour change (measured as DE) of the dyed kerat ous fibre in question

It has surprisingly been found that it is possible to provide such an improved hair dyeing composition by using a laccase derived from a strain of the filamentous fungus genus Pyricularia as the oxidation enzyme.

Firstly, the invention relates to a permanent dyeing composition for keratmous fibres, in particular hair, comprising an oxidation enzyme comprising

1) one or more oxidation enzymes derived from a strain of the genus Pyri cularia , 2) one or more dye precursors, and optionally

3) one or more modifiers.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the oxidation enzyme is a laccase derived from a strain of the genus Pyricularia , in particular from a strain of the species Pyricularia oryzae .

Secondly, it is the object of the invention to provide a method for dyeing keratinous fibres, in particular hair, comprising contacting an oxidative enzyme, such as a laccase, derived from a strain of the genus Pyricularia, in the presence or absence of at least one modifier, with at least one dye precursor, for a period of time, and under conditions sufficient to permit oxidation of the dye precursor.

Finally the invention relates to the use of an oxidation enzyme derived from a strain of the genus Pyri cularia for oxidative dyeing of keratinous fibres, in particular hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Figure 1 shows the dose-response (i.e. ΔE vs. LACU/ml) for Pyricularia laccase and Polyporus lacase

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a perma¬ nent dyeing composition for keratinous fibres, such as hair, having improved dyeing effect.

It has surprisingly be found that it is possible to provide such an improved dyeing composition for keratinous fibres by using an oxidation enzyme derived from a strain of the filamentous fungus genus Pyricularia .

When using a fixed activity of laccase derived from a strain of the genus Pyricularia the colour developed iε improved when compared to the same activity of laccase derived from Polyporus pinsi tus described in WO 96/00290 (Novo Nordisk

A/S) (See Example 1) .

Further, as shown in Example 2 the dose-response dyeing effect for Pyricularia laccase is higher than for Polyporus laccase .

Improved colour development is, in the context of the present invention, defined as a DE higher than the DE value of the above mentioned Polyporus pinsi tus laccase.

Consequently, in the first aspect the present invention relates to a permanent dye composition for keratinous fibres, such as hair, comprising

1) one or more oxidation enzymes derived from a strain of the genus Pyricularia ,

2) one or more dye precursors, and optionally 3) one or more modifiers.

In an embodiment of the invention the oxidation enzyme is a laccase derived from a strain of genus Pyricularia , such as a strain of Pyricularia oryzae e . g . the laccase which can be purchased from SIGMA under the trade name SIGMA no. L5510.

In addition, laccases derived from the genus Pyricularia also encompass alternative forms of laccases which may be found in Pyri cularia as well as laccases which may be found in other fungi which are synonyms or fall within the definition of the genus Pyricularia .

It is to be understood that the Pyricularia laccases used for dyeing keratinous fibres ■ according to the present invention may be produced homologously or heterologously using especially filamentous fungi, yeasts or bacteria as host cells .

Examples of filamentous fungus host cells include strains of the species of Trichoderma , preferably a strain of Tri cho- derma harzianu or Trichoderma reesei , or a species of Aspergillus, most preferably Aspergill uε oryzae or Aspergill us niger, or yeast cells, such as e . g. a strain of Saccharomyces, in particular Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces kluyveri or Saccharomyces uvarum, a strain of Schizosaccharo yces sp. , such as Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a strain of Hansenula sp. , Pichia sp. , Yarrowia sp. , such as Yarrowia lipolytica , or Kluyvero yces s . , such as Kluyveromyces lactis, or a bacteria, such as gram-positive bacteria such as strains of Bacillus, such as strains of B . subtilis, B . l i chenifor is , B . l entus , B . breviε, B . stearother ophilus , B . alkalophilus, B . amyloliquefaciens, B . coagulans, B . circulanε , B . lautus , B . mega terium or B . thuringienεis, or strains of Streptomyces, such as S . l ividans or S. murinus, or gram-negative bacteria such as Escheri chia coli .

Laccases (benzenediol :oxygen oxidoreductases) (E.C. class 1.10.3.2 according to Enzyme Nomenclature (1992) Academic Press, Ine) are multi-copper containing enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of phenols. Laccase-mediated oxidations result in the production of aryloxy-radical intermediates from suitable phenolic substrates; the ultimate coupling of the intermediates so produced provides a combination of dimeric, oligomeric, and polymeric reaction products. Certain reaction products can be used to form dyes suitable for dyeing keratinous fibres such as hair (see below) .

In an embodiment of the invention the Pyricularia laccase has improved colour development properties at neutral pH. In the context of the present invention this means that the colour development is improved when using the Pyricularia laccase in a dyeing composition having a pH in the range from between 5.0 and 9.0, in particular between 6.0 and 8.0, especially around pH 7.0.

To obtain a suitable dyeing of the keratinous fibres, such as hair, the dyeing composition of the invention must also comprise a dye precursor which is converted into a dye by the oxidation agent which according to the invention is an oxidation enzyme, especially a laccase, derived from a strain of the genus Pyricularia , such as a strain of species Pyricu¬ laria oryzae, especially the above mentioned laccase which can be purchased from SIGMA. The dye precursor is preferably an aromatic compound e . g. belonging to one of three major chemical families: the diamines, aminophenols (or aminonaphtols) and the phenols.

Examples of such suitable dye precursors include compounds from the group comprising comprising p-phenylene-diamine

(pPD) , p-toluylene-diamine (pTD) , chloro-p-phenylenediamine, p-aminophenol, o-aminophenol, 3, 4-diaminotoluene, 2-methyl- 1,4-diaminobenzene, 4-methyl-o-phenylenediamine, 2-methoxy-p- phenylenediamine, 2-chloro-l,4-diamino-benzene, 4-amino diphenylamine, l-amino-4-β-methoxyethylamino-benzene, 1-amino- 4-bis- (β-hydroxyethyl) -amonibenzene, 1-3-diamino-benzene, 2- methyl-1, 3-diamino-benzene, 2, -diaminotoluene, 2,6- diaminopyridine, l-hydroxy-2-amino-benzene, 1-hydroxy-3-ammo- benzene, l-methyl-2-hydroxy-4-amino-benzene, 1-methyl-2-hydro- xy-4-β-hydroxyethylamino-benzene, l-hydroxy-4-amino-benzene, 1-hydroxy-4-methylamino-benzene, 1- ethoxy-2,4-diamino¬ benzene, l-ethoxy-2, 3-diamino-benzene, 1-β-hydroxyethyloxy- 2,4-diamino-benzene, phenazines, such as 4,7- phenazinedicarboxylic acid, 2, 7-phenazinedicarboχylic acid, 2- phenazinecarboxylic acid, 2, 7-diaminophenazine, 2,8- diaminophenazine, 2, 7-diamino-3 , 8-dimethoxyphenazine, 2,7- diamino-3-methoxyphenazine, 2,7-diamino 3-methoxyphenazine, 3- dimethyl 2, 8-phenazinediamine, 2, 2 '-[ (8-amino-7-methyl-2- phenazinyl) imino] bis-ethanol, 2,2 ' - [ (8-amino-7-methoxy-2- phenazinyl) imino]bis-ethanol, 2, 2 ' - [ (8-amino-7-chloro-2- phenazinyl) imino] bis-ethanol, 2- [ (8-amino-7-methyl-2- phenazinyl) amino] -ethanol, 2,2 ' - [ (8-amino-2-phenazinyl) imino] - bis-ethanol, 3-amino-7- (dimethylamino) -2, 8-dimethyl-5-phenyl- chloride, 9- (diethylamino) - benzo [a]phenazine-1, 5-diol, N- [8-

(diethylamino) -2-phenazinyl] - methanesulfonamide, N- (8-metho- xy-2-phenazinyl) -methanesulfonamide, N,N,N' ,N' -tetramethyl- 2, 7-phenazinediamine, 3, 7-dimethyl-2-phenazinamine, p-amino benzoic acids, such as p-amino benzoic acid ethyl, p-amino benzoic acid glycerid, p-amino benzoic acid isobutyl, p- dimethylamino benzoic acid amil, p-dimethylamino benzoic acid octyl, p-diethoxy amino benzoic amil, p-dipropoxy amino benzoic acid ethyl, acetylsalicylic acid, isatin derivatives, such as 2,3-diamino benzoic acid.

In an embodiment of the invention the oxidative enzyme derived from Pyricularia is used with the dye precursor directly to oxidize it into a coloured compound.

It is to be understood that dye precursors can be used alone or in combination with other dye precursors. However, it is believed that at least one of the intermediate in the copolymerization must be an ortho- or para-diamine or aminophenol, such as p-phenylenediamine, o-aminophenol, p- methylaminophenol, p-aminophenol, p-toluylenediamine and N- phenyl-p-phenylenediamine. Contemplated are also all dye precursors listed in US patent no. 3,251,742 (Revlon) , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally the hair dyeing composition of the invention also comprises a modifier (coupler) by which a number of hair colour tints can be obtained. In general modifiers are used, as the hair colours resulting from hair dyeing compositions without modifier (s) are usually unacceptable to most people.

Modifiers are typically m-diamines, m-aminophenols, or polyphenols. The modifier (coupler) reacts with the dye precursor (s) in the presence of the oxidative enzyme, con¬ verting it into a coloured compound.

Examples of modifiers (couplers) include comprising m- phenylene-diamine, 2, 4-diaminoanisole, 1-hydroxynaphthalene (α- naphthol) , 1,4-dihydroxybenzene (hydroquinone) , 1, 5-dihydroxy- napthalene, 1, 2-dihydroxybenzene (pyrocatechol) , 1,3-dihydro- xybenzene (resorcinol) , 1, 3-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene, 1,3- dihydroxy-4-chlorobenzene (4-chlororesorcinol) ,

1, 2, 3 , trihydroxybenzene, 1, 2,4-trihydroxybenzene, 1,2, 4-tri- hydroxy-5-methylbenzene, 1,2,4-trihydroxytoluene.

In the second aspect the invention relates to a method for dyeing hair, comprising contacting an oxidation enzyme, such as a laccase, derived from a strain of the genus Pyricularia , in the presence or absence of at least one modifier, with at least one dye precursor, for a period of time, and under conditions sufficient to permit oxidation of the dye precur¬ sor.

The dyeing method can be conducted with one or more dye precursors, either alone or in combination with one or more modifiers. Amounts of components are in accordance with usual commercial amounts for similar components, and proportions of components may be varied accordingly.

When using an oxidation enzyme derived from Pyricularia , such as the Pyricularia oryzae laccase mentioned above, the method for dyeing hair of the invention may be carried out at room temperature and at a pH in the range from 5.0 to 9.0, preferably 6.0 to 8.0, especially around pH 7.

Suitable dye precursors and optionally modifiers are described above.

The use of an oxidative enzyme derived from Pyricularia , such as a laccase, is an improvement over the more traditional use of H₂0₂, in that the latter can damage the hair, and its use usually requires a high pH, which is also damaging to the hair. In contrast, the reaction with an enzyme can be conducted at acidic or neutral pH (below pH 9.0) , and the oxygen needed for oxidation comes from the air, rather than via harsh chemical oxidation.

The result provided by the use of the oxidation enzyme derived from Pyricularia , such as a laccase, is comparable to that achieved with use of H₂0₂, not only in colour development, but also in wash stability and light fastness. An additional commercial advantage is that a single container package can be made containing both the laccase and the precursor, in an oxygen free atmosphere, which arrangement is not possible with the use of H₂0₂.

Also when comparing the colour development using an oxida¬ tion enzyme derived from the genus Pyri cularia , such as a laccase, with a laccase such as the Polyporus laccase described above the Pyricularia oxidation enzyme gives improved colour development . MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials:

Hair:

6" De Meo Virgin Natural White Hair (De Meo Brothers Inc. US)

Enzymes :

Laccase from Pyri cularia oryzae purchased from SIGMA under the product name SIGMA no. L-5510, lot 54H3398, 389 UNITS/mg solid corresponding to 18.5 LACU/g.

Laccase from Polyporus pinsi tus described in WO 96/00290, (103 LACU/ml) .

Dye precursors :

0.1 % w/w p-phenylene-diamine (pPD) in 0.1 M K-phosphate buf¬ fer, pH 7.0. 0.1 % w/w o-aminophenol in 0.1 M K-phosphate buffer, pH 7.0.

Modifier:

0.1 % w/w m-phenylenediamine in 0.1 M K-phosphate buffer, pH

7.0.

Equipment :

Minolta CR200 Chroma Meter for colour measurement

Determination of Laccase Activity (LACU)

Laccase activity is determined from the oxidation of syrin- galdazin under aerobic conditions. The violet colour produced is photometered at 530 nm. The analytical conditions are 19 mM syringaldazin, 23.2 mM acetate buffer, pH 5.5, 30°C, 1 minute reaction time.

1 laccase unit (LACU) is the amount of enzyme that catalyses the conversion of 1.0 mmole syringaldazin per minute at these conditions. Assessment of the hair colour

The quantitative colour of the hair tresses are determined on a Minolta CR200 Chroma Meter by the use the parameters L* ("0"=black and "100"=white) , a* ("-60"=green and "+60"=red) and b* ("-60" blue and "+60" yellow) .

DL*, Da* and Db* are the delta values of L*, a* and b* respectively compared to L* , a* and b* of untreated hair •

DE* is calculated as DE*=0(DL*²+Da*²+Db*) and is an expre¬ ssion for the total quantitative colour change (i.e. colour development or dyeing effect) .

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Dyeing effect

The dyeing effect of a Pyricularia oryzae laccase was tested using the dye precursor p-phenylenediamine and compared with an equivalent activity of Polyporus pinsi tus laccase under the same reaction conditions. Hair dyeing

1 gram De Meo white hair tresses were used.

4 ml dye precursor solution was mixed with 1 ml laccase on a Whirley mixer, applied to the hair tresses and incubated at 30°C for 60 minutes. The activity of both the Pyricularia oryzae laccase and the Polyporus pinsi tus laccase were 0.048 LACU/ml reaction mixture (pH 7) .

The hair tresses were then rinsed with running water, washed with shampoo, rinsed with running water, combed, and air dried.

The a* , b* and L* was determined on the Chroma Meter and the DE* values were then calculated.

A hair tress sample treated without enzyme was used as a blind. 12

The result of the hair dyeing test is shown in the Table 1

Table 1

L* DL a* Da* b* Db* DE

Untreated 73.4 - 2.4 - 23.7 - - hair blind 66.7 -6.7 4.2 1.8 23.2 -0.5 7.0 (without enzyme)

Polyporus 65.4 -8.0 3.8 1.5 22.6 -1.1 8.2 laccase

Pyricularia 37.8 -35.6 3.4 1.0 1.8 -21.9 41.8 laccase

As can be seen from Table 1 the colour development (i.e. DE) is improved when using the Pyri cularia oryzae laccase for dyeing hair in comparison to a corresponding tests using the Polyporus pinsi tus laccase.

Example 2

Dose-response dyeing test of Pyricularia oryzae laccase

The dyeing effect of from 0 to 1 LACU/ml Pyricularia oryzae laccase was compared with corresponding doses of Polyporus pinsi tus laccase under the same conditions. 0.1% w/w o- aminophenol (dye precursor) and 0.1% w/w m-phenylene-diamine (modifier) was used. Hair dyeing

1 gram white De Meo hair tresses were used.

4 ml dye precursor solution (i.e. 2 ml dye precursor and 2 ml modifier) was mixed with 1 ml laccase in different concentrations (resulting in activities in the reaction mixtures from 0 to 1 LACU/ml) on a Whirley mixer, applied to the hair tresses in a glass beaker and incubated at 30°C under shaking for 30 minutes.

The hair tresses were then rinsed with running water, washed with shampoo, rinsed with water, combed, and air dried. a*, b* and L* were measured on the Chroma Meter and ΔE* was then calculated.

Hair tress samples treated without enzyme were used as blinds .

The result of the test is displayed in Figure 1. From Figure 1 it can be seen that the Pyricularia laccase gives a higher ΔE value than the Polyporus laccase at equivalent LACU/ml reaction mixture.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A permanent dyeing composition for keratinous fibres, such as hair, comprising an oxidation enzyme characterized in that the composition comprises:

2) one or more dye precursors, and optionally 3) one or more modifiers.

2. The permanent dye g composition accordmg to claim 1, wherein the oxidation enzyme is a laccase derived from a strain of the genus Pyri cularia , particular Pyricularia oryzae, especially Pyricularia oryzae sold under the product number L-5510.

3. The permanent dyemg composition according to claims 1 and 2, having a pH in the range from 5.0 to 9.0, preferably 6.0 to 8.0, especially about 7.

4. The permanent dye g composition accordmg to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a dye precursor selected from the group comprising p-phenylene-diamme (pPD) , p-toluylene-diamme (pTD) , chloro-p-phenylenediamme, p-aminophenol, o- am ophenol, 3,4-dιammotoluene, 2-methyl-1, 4-dιammobenzene, 4-methyl-o-phenylenediamine, 2-methoxy-p-phenylenedιamme, 2- chloro-1,4-diam o-benzene, -ammo diphenylamine, l-amιno-4- β-methoxyethylammo-benzene, l-ammo-4-bιs- (β-hydroxyethyl) - amonibenzene, 1-3-dιamιno-benzene, 2-methyl-1, 3-diammo- benzene, 2 , 4-diam otoluene, 2, 6-dιammopyrιdme, 1-hydroxy-2- am o-benzene, 1-hydroxy-3-ammo-benzene, 1-methyl-2-hydroxy- 4-ammo-benzene, 1-methyl-2-hydroxy-4-β-hydroxyethylamino- benzene, l-hydroxy-4-amιno-benzene, l-hydroxy-4-methylammo- benzene, l-methoxy-2 ,4-diammo-benzene, l-ethoxy-2, 3-diammo- benzene, l-β-hydroxyethyloxy-2,4-diammo-benzene, phenaz es, such as 4 , 7-phenazιnedιcarboxylιc acid, 2,7- phenazmedicarboxylic acid, 2-phenazmecarboxylιc acid, 2,7- diammophenazme, 2, 8-dιammophenazme, 2 , 7-dιammo-3 , 8- dimethoxyphenaz e, 2, 7-dιammo-3-methoxyphenazme, 2,7- diammo 3-methoxyphenazme, 3-dimethyl 2, 8-phenazmedιamme, 2, 2 ' - [ (8-ammo-7-methyl-2-phenazinyl) imino] bis-ethanol, 2,2' [ (8-ammo-7-methoxy-2-phenazinyl) im o] bis-ethanol, 2, 2 ' - [ (8- ammo-7-chloro-2-phenazinyl) imino] bis-ethanol, 2- [ (8-ammo-7- methyl-2-phenazinyl)ammo] -ethanol, 2, 2 ' - [ (8-ammo-2-phenazi¬ nyl) immo] bis-ethanol, 3-amino-7- (dimethylamino) -2, 8-dimethyl- 5-phenyl-chlorιde, 9- (diethylamino) - benzo [a] phenazme-1, 5- diol, N- [8- (diethylamino) -2-phenazmyl] - methanesulfonamide, N- (8-methoxy-2-phenazinyl) -methanesulfonamide, N,N,N' ,N' - tetramethyl-2, 7-phenazmedιamme, 3, 7-dimethyl 2- phenazmam e, p-amino benzoic acids, such as p-ammo benzoic acid ethyl, p-ammo benzoic acid glycerid, p-ammo benzoic acid isobutyl, p-dimethylammo benzoic acid amil, p- dimethylammo benzoic acid octyl, p-diethoxy ammo benzoic amil, p-dipropoxy ammo benzoic acid ethyl, acetylsalicylic acid, isatin derivatives, such as 2,3-dιammo benzoic acid

5. The permanent hair dye g composition accordmg to claims 3 and 4, comprising a dye modifier selected from the group comprising m-phenylene-diamme, 2,4-diammoanisole, 1- hydroxynaphthalene (α-naphthol) , 1,4- dihydroxybenzene (hydroqumone) , 1, 5-dιhydroxynapthalene, 1,2- dihydroxybenzene (pyrocatechol) , 1, 3-dihydroxybenzene (resorcmol) , 1, 3-dιhydroxy-2-methylbenzene, 1, 3-dιhydroxy-4- chlorobenzene (4-chlororesorcιnol) , 1, 2, 3, trihydroxybenzene, 1,2, 4-trihydroxybenzene, 1,2,4-trιhydroxy-5-methylbenzene, 1,2,4-1rihydroxytoluene .

6. A method for dyeing keratinous fibres, such as hair, comprising contacting an oxidation enzyme, such as a laccase, derived from a strain of the genus Pyri cularia , the presence or absence of at least one modifier, with at least one dye precursor, for a period of time, and under conditions sufficient to permit oxidation of the dye precursor used for oxidizing the dye.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the oxidation enzyme is a laccase derived from a strain of the genus Pyri cularia , in particular Pyri cularia oryzae, especially Pyri cularia oryzae sold under the product number L-5510.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the dyeing is carried out at a pH in the range from 5.0 to 9.0, preferably 6.0 to 8.0, especially at about pH 7.0.

9. The method according to claims 6 to 8, wherein the oxida¬ tion enzyme is reacted with a dye precursor of claim 4.

10. The method according to claims 8 and 9, wherein the oxidation enzyme is reacted with a dye modifier of claim 5

11. Use of an oxidation enzyme derived from a strain of the genus Pyricularia for oxidative dyeing of keratinous fibres, such as hair.

12. The use according to claim 14, wherein the oxidation enzyme is a laccase derived from a strain of the species Pyricularia oryzae, especially Pyricularia oryzae sold under the product number L-5510.